I believe the kind of love spoken of in both of these scriptures is Agape love—love which is selfless, unconditional, and sacrificial. It is rooted in goodwill and action rather than feeling.

I have heard it said that it is better to have a friend nearby than a brother far away. I have no brothers, just brothers-in-law, some 500 miles away. As our family has grown, I now have sons-in-law and grandsons-in-law. I know my brothers-in-law would show up if they were needed and lived closer. I also feel that I could call on my sons-in-law if I needed help with almost anything.

My observation and experience have been that women develop closer friendships than men. There are surely exceptions, especially where there is a strong common interest like a love of fishing, golf, or some other passion. However, men seem less willing to show any signs of weakness or vulnerability to other men.

When we say “love is a verb,” it certainly implies action of some kind. I believe it means an intentional commitment to the well-being of others without expecting anything in return.

I have had individuals just show up and offer to help in situations where help was obviously needed. After my father died many years ago, a friend called and said, “Emmit, when are we going to shear the sheep?” There is not one person in a thousand who would make that offer. While not the most unpleasant job, it is very physically demanding. This is especially true if one is not physically fit, as you must put your body in unusual positions for a sustained period. I will never forget that phone call.

I hope you have a good friend. They may be in your family or not. They need to be someone you can trust with some of your deepest thoughts, hurts, or feelings. If you don’t have one, maybe the best way to start is by being a good friend and sharing Agape love with others.

Father, we pray that all can have a good, trusted friend. We know that You are always a friend, but it probably helps to have one with skin on. Amen.

This devotion was written and read by Emmit Rawls.

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.

If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: podcasts@1stchurch.org.

First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

This is an eye-opening scripture for me. As I have been thinking and reflecting on it these last couple of weeks, memories have been flooding in of people I have known and know who serve humbly often. First, it is important to think about what a humble servant actually looks like. They are not proud, don’t believe they are better than others, respectful, modest, gentle, and unpretentious. Admirable qualities, though they don’t always come naturally. In James 4:6, we read that “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” I believe that humility is a sign of strong character and is often shown in empathy. Humble servants also appreciate their blessings and our thanks.

As I have been reflecting, I am more aware of those who modeled being humble servants in my life. Two of the most humble people I ever encountered were my parents. Though I didn’t recognize it fully at the time, looking back, it is very clear. Yes, I knew they were quietly serving others even through small gestures over the years. My mother worked full-time outside the home (most mothers did not at that time), and yet she found time to serve. She baked cookies for our neighbors, created and made crafts for fundraisers for a local organization, knitted blankets, beanies, and dog sweaters for the people she knew and for those she might never meet. Her job was in social services, and she helped so many people. It did not matter who they were, what the situation was, nor how very different their ideas or values might be. She loved our community and was always working to make it safer and more hospitable. She sat with those in need, comforted, and assisted in any way she could.

My Dad was also very humble and very much a servant. He was always available to any household on our street – no matter the need. He taught us to see the person behind the story and how their circumstances just might be causing issues for them. He spent so much time with the neighborhood kids, playing ball and assisting with our math homework. When I first married, I discovered some of the quiet services he provided. He went to a local nursing home and read to a very sweet lady who was almost blind. While the reading was a gift, more important was the time he spent with her sharing his love each week. He knew about his fellow workmates, their families, and their ups and downs. He actively prayed for them and helped whenever he could. He wrote letters to his siblings, his friends, those he met when attending banking classes, his kids, and others. He never said a word, but these acts of service were revealed later.

My special mentor, an older woman, also served humbly and quietly. No task was too small, unimportant or beneath her. She loved so deeply, and somehow, she always seemed to know what to do. There were many days we spent merely sharing a meal that became moments of real grace as she listened to a much younger person struggling with life. She would never take credit for the many things she did behind the scenes, all done out of love with a servant’s heart. She connected people to each other for the purpose of sharing faith and hope.

And then, my neighbor. He’s just amazing. He goes to work in the very early hours of the morning and returns in mid-afternoon. Quietly, we often find our trash can returned to its proper place, our leaves blown off the driveway and side yard. He keeps an eye on the house, moving packages onto the porch when it rains; he bakes cookies to share and spends time chatting with us. He is often found helping the other neighbors as well with mowing, tree limbs, and whatever might happen. It’s just his nature. He is kind, humble, and operates from his faith. He expects no thanks or pat on the back. He’s just following his servant heart.

There are many others I might share, but there isn’t enough time in any day. The reality is that all 4...

You are listening to Grace for All, a daily devotional podcast produced by the people of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee.

This is Scripture Saturday, a time when we pause and reflect on the scriptures we have read throughout the week. If you missed any of our devotionals on these passages, you can find them on our website at 1stChurch.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

Now, we invite you to listen and receive Grace. Welcome and thank you for joining us.

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.

If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: podcasts@1stchurch.org.

First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.